Grambling hit hard by disarray involving ex-Bucs

After Grambling State players walked out of a meeting with administrators Tuesday and boycotted football practice the next day, interim coach George Ragsdale — who had replaced the fired Doug Williams in September — was fired and replaced with defensive coordinator Dennis Winston.

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With the team 0-7, and having lost 17 straight, university president Frank Pogue, athletic director Aaron James and Ragsdale met with the team Tuesday to show support. Players weren't mollified. Among their issues: the firing of Williams (a former Bucs quarterback and teammate of Ragsdale), long bus rides instead of flying, lack of trust, and not having meals provided.

Ragsdale, 62, was a Bucs running back/kick returner (1976-79) and played for the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits (1983). He was reassigned within Grambling's athletic department.

When Williams, 58, was fired Sept. 11, Pogue and James planned to meet with the team. But that meeting didn't happen until Tuesday. Players walked out of the meeting, which reportedly had some disrespectful language. When Ragsdale showed up for the next day's practice, no players were there.

On Thursday night, a closed practice was planned.

The Monroe, La. News Star quoted receiver Adrian Manning saying of Ragsdale: "No one is talking to that snake.''

Grambling is scheduled to visit Jackson State on Saturday. Both schools and the Southwestern Athletic Conference said the game will be played.

Winston, 57, better known by his nickname, Dirt, was a Steelers and Saints linebacker. During the 1990s, Winston served two stints at Grambling as an assistant to college Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson.

UCLA-michigan series: The Bruins will play the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 10, 2022, and Michigan will visit the Rose Bowl on Sept. 2, 2023.

Mississippi: Defensive end C.J. Johnson will have season-ending surgery on his right ankle.

Basketball

Warning from UF's young: Gators senior center Patric Young isn't dazzled by Kentucky's latest crop of hotshot NBA prospects — the Wildcats' eight signees include six McDonald's All-Americans. "I hope they think they can just walk on the court and they're going to beat everybody," Young said. "As soon as they play a real top team, they're going to see it's not just a walk in the park. One and done is not for everybody." Kentucky coach John Calipari said 40 NBA scouts have visited Lexington during the past two weeks. "Some of the things that we've accomplished get overshadowed because of Coach Calipari and the things he's able to do recruiting-wise," Young said. "In the end it's all about what happens between the lines. That's all I'm concerned about.''

Frazier tested for mono: Florida guard Michael Frazier, a former Plant High standout, is being tested for mononucleosis. Coach Billy Donovan said all that's known at the moment is that a virus is keeping Frazier off the court.

Arizona: The Wildcats were picked to win the Pac-12 in a preseason media poll, with UCLA second and Colorado third.

Georgia tech: The NCAA ruled that guard Trae Golden, who played the past three seasons at Tennessee, is eligible to play this season after transferring to the Jackets to be closer to his family.

LOUISVILLE: Forward Chane Behanan was suspended indefinitely by the university for violating school policy. Coach Rick Pitino said Behanan violated an unspecified team rule and might return in December. Pitino said arrangements had been made for Behanan to return after he committed the infraction, but Behanan violated those conditions in less than a week. "We don't have a lot of rules, but the ones we do have, he needs to follow," Pitino said.

Marquette: Forward Jameel McKay left the team. He was in his first season after two years at Indian Hills Community College.

Notre Dame: Forward Zach Auguste, expected to be a key player, will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken left hand.